We just want to do our job, and do it well. Whatever that means.

Category: Uncategorized

This year’s pick for our history curriculum is “Mystery of History” from Bright Ideas Press. Its basically a combination of biblical and secular history in the format of a timeline. Its flexible, and able to be used for kids in early grade school all the way up to high school.

Anyway, today was lesson 1 and 2-Creation and Adam and Eve. Seeing that I dont fully follow ANY curriculum I get, I changed the format of the activities suggested with each lesson. The Creation lesson called for a creation booklet (yawn. How many times have we done that in Children’s Church and Sabbath School?), and the Adam and Eve lesson had a self portrait lesson using colored pencils and a mirror. Now, that one peeked my interest, but I wanted them to enjoy how special and uniquely designed they are.

A trip to Pinterest…and I found this <— Click the link for the original post.

So, I decided to change it up and make it mine. Are surprised? Ha!

Here’s what we did…

Kenzi picking “worth the wait” was a major score! She just turned 12, and Im continuing to place a major emphasis on her value.

They all designed their own pictures which was pretty cool.

How did we do it?

Super simple.

1)Buy a pack of canvases. These are 8×10.

2) Pick a color of acrylic paint. We got ours from the craft section at Walmart. Only 50 cents a bottle.

Livingston was a straight out of high school first round draft pick in 2004. He turned down an offer to play at Duke in exchange for the NBA draft. He was the 4th pick overall, and considered the number one point guard in the nation in his draft year.

Life was looking good for young Shaun Livingston until…..

You guessed it. He got injured. Just 3 short years after his draft year, he suffered a massive knee injury. Im squeamish, so when I saw the video of the injury…

Well, lets just describe the injury:

Torn ACL, Torn PCL, Torn MCL, and a dislocated knee. Injuries so dreadful that doctors thought they would have to amputate his leg. AMPUTATE HIS LEG!!!

That would mean no walks in the park, no bike rides, and most importantly no basketball using his own two feet. It took Livingston 3 years to fully recover from this trauma to his knee.

But even when he was back on his feet, he fought JUST TO STAY IN THE NBA.

Listen guys. Livingston’s history with the NBA is so complicated, that I just refuse to write it all here. Lets just say this…Brother, would get picked up and dropped by teams that barely would win 20 games a season. No one wanted him. So bad that he went to the NBA’s D-League (Development League)..not for long, but he went.

Sidebar: Did you know his teammate Fetus Ezeli played in the D-League, too? I didnt. . Also, his teammate Steph Curry’s little brother, Seth Curry, played in the D-League and was signed by the Sacramento Kings. (I knew that one)

Anyway, back on topic. What an incredible journey! Im so impressed with his determination to not abandon his dream. If you have time, go check out his history in the NBA. Its tough. I can only imagine the feelings that come with constant rejection. Especially coming from a young man that was a first round draft pick.

One minute you’re a franchise player, and the next no one cares.

But in comes God…

He puts Shaun Livingston on the Cleveland Cavilers for part of a year, then the Brooklyn Nets for a year, and finally settled with the Golden State Warriors. There he won his first Championship in 2015 AGAINST the Cleveland Cavilers. Oh, the irony!

God is funny. I wonder if Livingston thought he would ever become an asset to a team again? I mean, in Game 1 of the 2016 NBA finals, he came off the bench and scored 20 points. Yeah, those prayers worked :).

God always finds value in us. He values our time, our efforts, our talents, and who we are as individuals made in His incredible image. Fearfully and wonderfully made, he says (Psalms 139:14).

Most importantly, he understands the journey. He is Alpha and Omega. He knows the Beginning to the End, and he sets everything in motion. He doesnt allow anything to come our way that we cant have victory over in His mighty name.

We are the evidence that he exists, and that he’s in the miracle making business. Shaun Livingston should not be playing basketball in his second NBA Final. He shouldnt be walking on his own two feet. He shouldnt be on the same team with the best 2 shooters in the world (Steph Curry and Klay Thompson), but he is because He is.

Did you catch that?

God wants to do and be something special in your life. He wants to open doors for you, offer forgiveness for all the shame you hide in your closet, bid you an opportunity to do great and marvelous things, and ultimately make you a living testimony of who HE is.

You are made in His image. That means you’re exceptional, and He desires to give you a purpose to match His ideal. Lets be honest, we cant even think on that level.

“Higher than the highest human thought can reach is God’s ideal for his children.”

We dont know why God allowed Livingston to have such an awful injury, but we do know for sure that “All things work together for the good for those who love the Lord.”

My buddies and I have this trending “joke” on facebook where we’ve prayed for Steph Curry and the Warrior’s success their last two games against the Oklahoma City Thunder. We assembled the prayer warriors. (ha!)

“Lord I come to you early this morning thanking you for life, food and shelter. I only come seeking one request…help the Warriors as they go to battle tonight dear God. (Yes Lord!) Remind the world that giants, they die. The bigger they are the harder they fall. Give Curry the spirit of David to defeat those Goliaths tonight dear God. Give the bench the peace that passeth all understanding tonight dear God! (Yasssss Lord!) Turn that loud thunderous arena to the Tower of Babel so there will be nothing but confusion on that Thunder bench. Lord we know you do not like arrogance. Humble Russell Westbrook, put a lid on that basket for him. The same for Dion Waiters, but let Roberson get about 6 points since he seems like a nice guy. Lord my requests are simple, as you know the memes, gifs, and emojis waiting for me if we get eliminated. I don’t want to see another cloud lord. I’ve been harassed with Jordan crying face memes. They put Jordan crying faces on my Curry shoes Lord God. I have confidence you will not forsake your servants. In Jesus name I pray, amen.”

I made sure I added the hearty, “All things are possible through Christ Jesus!”

and a “Give them the breath of life, God- that they may run and NEVER get tired!”

That was for game 6….The one that they WON in Oklahoma City! Yes, they did.

But then for game 7:

“Lord it’s me again. Tonight is the big night, win or go home! Help the Warriors defeat the Thunder once and for all! You’ve brought them this far from the depths. Help the Oracle arena to will them to a commanding lead from start to finish. Help the Warrior bench to have the best game of the season and for confusion to spread amongst the Thunder and their bench! You told us no weapon formed against us shall prosper! We’re expecting a harvest. We have active faith. We’re humble (except for Draymond but you’re working on him). Send your angels to battle with them tonight because we know with you we have the victory! Touch Andrew Bogut, dear God. Be with his hands so that he will catch passes, rebound, block shots and make LAYUPS & FREETHROWS. Keep the fouls to a minimum. Don’t allow the refs to reward Westbrook with a foul when he’s running out of control falling into ppl. Or jumping sideways to draw fouls. Help Livingston to know his role and not over do it. Bring back Harrison Barnes’ confidence and accuracy. Help us to lift that trophy once more! Amen”

I mean, the Warriors came back from a 3-1 deficit to win the Western Conference Championship. Clearly our prayers worked.

Some people laughed, others said Kevin had issues (Stephaholic was the diagnosis), but I had absolute faith that they would win. I didnt doubt one bit.

As a matter of fact, I told my husband the whole day before game 6 that the Warriors would win. I constantly tweeted “#warriorsin7”!

Its all fun and laughs but…

Im serious. Dead serious. No really, Its a convo I truly had with God in my heart. (I think Kevin did, too) I really wanted God to be glorified through games 6 and 7.

How? Steph Curry makes it very clear that he is a man of faith. Faith in Jesus Christ.

and so is his wife Ayesha whom he met at youth group at his church.

Sure these videos arent a true reflection of Stephen Curry’s faith, but he makes it no secret.

Steph wrote “I can do all things…” (a reference from Philippian 4:13 of the bible) on his high school basketball sneakers. And even does this fist-bump-to-chest-point finger- in -the -air motion every time he scores to symbolize where all his abilities and blessing come from.

Im serious, guys. I want the Warriors to win. Not just because I like Steph Curry, but deep in my heart, I REALLLLLY want God to be glorified through him. Think about how many people watch the NBA Finals every year. How many people will wonder why he beats his chest? How many people will look him up on youtube and see his highlights, his family, his kids, his journey, and be inspired?

How many people can he point to God through his excellence in basketball and character?

How many young boys will he show that its cool to marry the girl before you make her a mother?

I like Steph, but I desire in my deepest of hearts for God to use the “Baby-faced assassin”to show people how good life is with God both in your successes and your failures.

I think we often forget that God can use anything to win a soul. I once was told that God really doesn’t care about basketball, that his hands are probably tied with more important things. I beg to differ. God cares about what I care about, and he surely cares about the winning of your soul. Why wouldn’t he use basketball as one for many tools in his belt to get our attention.

Hope does not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us.

Romans 5:5

Hope that produces character. The kind of character that You can trust in.

Give me hope that I can find faith. Faith that believes in the things unseen, and trusts that You can do the impossible. Faith that knows that You can do all things, You care, and that Im important to You. You believe in me!

Hope that You will perfect the work that needs to be done in our home- In my marriage and with my children.

Hope that You will provide all our needs and bless us financially so the we can bless others.

Hope that You will daily transform our homeschool into the complete package of education.

Hope that Your future for me is bright and full of your blessings.

Hope that my blog will be a place of ministry and Redeye will show your glory.

Hope that my garden will grow your blessings to share.

Hope that I’ll consume the foods that better embraces healthy living.

Hope that, with faith, I BELIEVE that my soul along with my family rests comfortably with You.